If you would like more detailed information about the environmental impact of using disposables then the Women's Environmental Network (WEN) and the Real Nappy Campaign websites are very informative.  They also discuss some of the health concerns about the chemicals and gels in disposable nappies. I have not discussed these issues any further here as I don't want to scare you off from using disposables and anyway, even the most dedicated cloth users sometimes use disposables (holidays etc.)

Fortunately, the modern shaped nappies sold by Nappymania are fantastic and more effective in my experience than disposables. My customers agree with me. Initially, most of my new customers talk about the environment when they first contact me. Yet once they are using washable nappies, they nearly always make a point of saying how their washable nappies rarely leak. The reason being the shaped nappies that I sell are a much snugger fit compared to disposables and there are two points against which a potential leak is contained; the nappy itself and the outer breathable wrap.

The other compelling reason that I use washable nappies is to save lots of money! For an independent cost comparison have a look at Money Saving Expert or the Women's Environmental Network. Money Saving Expert estimates a saving of £650 for a first baby, and of course the savings are much greater for a second baby if some or all of the nappies can be reused.

I have read that babies in real nappies train up to six months earlier than they would do if wearing disposable nappies. The experts all seem to agree that that it is pointless to consider toilet training until the child knows when he is wet or dirty - one time when having all moisture chemically 'locked away' in a disposable is not such a good thing.

One thing that I didn't expect when I started using washable nappies was how much I enjoy using them. Yes, I admit I do feel a little bit smug when family and friends say "I can't believe you're still using them" but also it is lovely thinking about how well they perform and how much money I've saved. Perhaps a little sadly for some people, I love hanging my nappies out to dry on the line!

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The use of washable nappies is not time consuming. If you are squeamish, remember that most of the nappies you have to deal with will simply be wet.  Here's what happens in my house.

When I'm changing nappies I always put the wet old nappy in a plastic bucket with a lid which already has a nappy mesh inside. Any soiled nappies and fleece liners are sluiced in the toilet and then go into the bucket with the wet nappies. The flushable liners that Nappymania stock can be washed and re-used several times.

I always do up the velcro (aplix) on nappies and wraps to prevent it catching on other items in the wash. This prolongs the life of the velcro.

Although I don't usually soak my nappies, if this is something that you prefer to do, then you can add, tea tree oil, bicarbonate of soda (available from the chemist) or distilled white vinegar to the soaking water in order to help cleanse the nappies. I often use just plain water.  When soaking, try to change the water after 24 hours or so to help cleanse the nappies. You don't have to soak nappies. I wash every other day at 60 degrees using non-biological powder. I never use fabric conditioner as this reduces the absorbency of nappies. I often run a rinse cycle or pre-wash before the main wash, as I'm very lazy about sluicing - let the machine do as much of the work as possible!

I dry the nappies outside on the washing line if possible. On a hot day the nappies are dry within 3 or 4 hours. Otherwise I hang the nappies on a clothes drier, the radiators or in the airing cupboard. As I live in a hard water area my nappies dry rather hard so I like to use my tumble drier for 10 minutes or so to soften them up either just after taking them from the washing machine or when they are nearly dry.

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People are often worried that the use of cloth nappies leads to nappy rash.  An independent study by Professor Jean Golding of Bristol University concluded that the type of nappy used has no effect on the likelihood of nappy rash.

Yet still the myth persists that real nappies cause nappy rash. This situation is not helped in my opinion by the manufacturers of disposable nappies who use 'dryness' as a marketing ploy, leading many to believe therefore that wetness must cause nappy rash, and of course real nappies tend to get wetter than disposable ones.

The facts are very straightforward. Nappy rash is caused by prolonged skin contact with soiled nappies. Germs from the faeces break down urine (of which traces will still be found in a super-absorbent nappy) and produce ammonia, which inflames the skin.

The most important factor in avoiding nappy rash is to keep the baby clean. Dirty nappies should be changed immediately and wet ones frequently. Super-absorbent disposables need to be changed just as frequently as any other nappy.

Nappy rash may also be a symptom of teething. If nappy rash is frequent perhaps try keeping a food diary for your baby to see if a particular food is the cause. 

Many babies are sensitive to the perfumes, detergents and other chemicals used in some disposable nappies, wipes and lotions. If this is the case consider using the sensitive skin versions of these products or better still make your own.
If your baby gets nappy rash, as most will do from time to time it is important to change nappies even more frequently and to wash the whole nappy area. Creams such as Sudocrem or Metanium will clear up nappy rash very quickly.

Some babies develop a rash on first using cotton nappies because they are sensitive to the chemicals in the washing powder. Non-biological powders are recommended for washing of cloth nappies, but if your non-biological powder still causes sensitivity then try Filetti or Ecover as these powders are known for being kinder to sensitive skin.

It is important not to confuse nappy rash with thrush, as they can look similar. Nappy rash will soon improve and clear up if the advice taken above is followed. Thrush will only be eradicated with prescription medicine. If you are in doubt it is always best to check with your health visitor.

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There is no reason to switch to disposables when going out with your children if you do not wish to. The easiest way to cope is to use a wet nappy bag (see the online shop) into which you put the wet or dirty nappy along with used wipes or cotton wool.  The bag has a drawstring to keep odours inside. The small size will easily hold three nappies so is ideal for a day out.

Even if your child is not sleeping through the night you will want a night time nappy to last 12 or 13 hours. There should be no need to change a cloth nappy at night unless it is soiled. Firstly, choose a really absorbent nappy.

On a young baby this will be all you need. As your baby gets older you will probably need to boost the nappy to add extra absorbency. You can use any absorbent material that you have like flannels, an old towel cut up or a Nappymania booster pad (see the online shop). A fleece liner may make your baby more comfortable at night as the fleece acts as a 'stay dry' layer.

If in doubt it is better to boost a night time nappy than run the risk of wetness seeping out of the nappy, and a well boosted nappy will give you peace of mind.

I personally use a Motherease one-size with adequate boostering.

Sometimes childminders or nursery staff can seem reluctant to use washable nappies. In any case I would always reassure them that using washable nappies will not cause them any additional work.  

Remember to provide a wet nappy bag for the storage of used nappies! 

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The number of nappies that you will need depends on the age of your baby, how often you want to wash and your drying facilities.

For example a newborn baby will require up to 7 nappies in a 24 hour period. If you plan to wash every other day then on the evening of the second day you will have approximately 12 nappies to wash. It is useful to know that the average washing machine takes up to 15 nappies.

You will need to have spare nappies available while the nappies you have washed are drying. If you are planning to tumble dry the nappies from wet then you will need less nappies than if you are just hanging you nappies up to dry when they could take up to 12 hours (although on a hot day your nappies can be bone-dry in 3 hours on the washing line).

Usually, I advise around 16-20 nappies for a newborn baby where the washing is to be done every other day. This means that you won't need to panic about getting the nappies dry.

A baby of 6 months will normally require no more than 5 nappies in a 24 hour period so if you switch to real nappies at this time then you may need only 12-14 depending on your washing and drying routine.

At the other end of the spectrum, a toddler who is toilet trained in the day and just wearing nappies at night should only require 3 nappies if you wash every other day. It is worth changing to washable nappies at this point because wearing cloth could assist with toilet training and will save you money.

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Nappy Nippas are the modern equivalent of the Safety Pin. They are small elasticated tabs with tiny pins that grip the nappy.

It is possible to get an improved fit with nappies fastened with nippas and so even better containment. It's easier to bend a nappy around a tummy without the slightly stiff Aplix (Velcro^TM) tab, and the fit is more adjustable than with poppers.

Also, if your husband or partner is so far proving resistant to the charms of cloth nappies why not present him with a nappy nippa. Mine thinks they are great. Maybe it's because they have something of the 'gadget' about them.

Be aware that Nappy Nippas aren't the most intuitive things in the world. Most people need to be shown how to use them the first time around. The most common problem is a failure to pull the nippa hard enough across the nappy in order for the little 'teeth' to really grip into the fabric.

Personally I have gone for popper nappies for simplicity, but some mothers swear by nippas! If you would like to discuss which would be best for you then please call!

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